2021 M3LR heated steering wheel - YES [build month of this vehicle - Feb 2021]
- Thread starter 808BOB
- Start date
That would be a pretty useful test!
I’d say it’s almost certain the wheel won’t heat when attached to the MY, but only because it won’t have the option enabled.
That blue plug appears to have a label that says “THERM” (thermal?) on it
OR... the option is only not enabled because there's no heated wheel hardware.
So those are the two possibilities:
- When the vehicle has the heated wheel hardware, the software detects it and displays the UI
- The software displays the UI due to an arbitrary flag that someone had to set for the vehicle
If we were betting a dollar, my bet would be that swapping wheels will work without any intervention by Tesla.
Given Tesla's stance on people installing their own garage door opener, I'd imagine it is locked in software to discourage us from electrocuting ourselves. That also assumes that the wiring in the column is compatible.That would be a pretty useful test!
I’d say it’s almost certain the wheel won’t heat when attached to the MY, but only because it won’t have the option enabled.
That blue plug appears to have a label that says “THERM” (thermal?) on it
That wire plugs into my right scrollwheel.
Apparently Gentherm is an automotive cable supplier. https://www.gentherm.com/en/solutions/automotive/electronics-cables
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I’m convinced it’s a flag for the simple reason that SR+ cars are being delivered without the heating activated, and LR are. I would think they are both being shipped with the same wheel hardware at this point.
This would suggest to me that SR+ will get the option to pay to unlock it at some point, like rear heated seats.
Being able to unlock would mean Tesla, or a Tesla system, telling the car that it has that feature (after it has been purchased).
There may be some kind of communication between the steering wheel controller (in the wheel) and the car to advertise that it has the capability to, as a failsafe.
So could it be that it's just the harness that is needed for those with the newer steering wheel? Was that the reason for the delayed and random introduction, a shortage of this harness.
Always worth a reboot as well after any change, it activated those who installed the under car pedestrian warning speaker.
Always worth a reboot as well after any change, it activated those who installed the under car pedestrian warning speaker.
If you don't have the extra blue connector (i.e. heated wheel harness) then I would presume you don't have the heating element in the wheel, or the modified steering wheel controller either.
Sadly I think it is wishful thinking that people with LRs and Ps already delivered with the "new style" steering wheel are just waiting for Tesla to unlock it for them. MIC and latest Fremont M3s are arriving with the heated wheel already activated, and people are upgrading to the current version (2021.4.x) without losing heated wheel functionality.
That's just my opinion though, it is possible I guess there was a crossover point of parts. I would assume the steering wheel assembly is fitted to the car as a one-piece thing (i.e. embedded harness, controller, etc), rather than assembled in the factory.
Sadly I think it is wishful thinking that people with LRs and Ps already delivered with the "new style" steering wheel are just waiting for Tesla to unlock it for them. MIC and latest Fremont M3s are arriving with the heated wheel already activated, and people are upgrading to the current version (2021.4.x) without losing heated wheel functionality.
That's just my opinion though, it is possible I guess there was a crossover point of parts. I would assume the steering wheel assembly is fitted to the car as a one-piece thing (i.e. embedded harness, controller, etc), rather than assembled in the factory.
Jaenonymous
Member
Id open mine up, but Im afraid of letting the bag off somehow with my stupidity. LOL.
Just disconnect the battery if you're worried. The wheel itself takes less than a minute to open.
Jaenonymous
Member
The battery under the rear seat, correct? Then use something to stick in the little holes, and pop the bag off, correct? From there, unbolt the wheel, and then look for what? Noob here to this stuff.
What year and is yours? Im a 2021 December build, so hoping for the wheel at some point. My SA told me mine does not have the wheel though, so... kind of gave up.
I believe that the air bag is part of the 12v system, so you'd want to disconnect the 12v battery in the frunk. Please double check this, though.
I'd err on the safe side and disconnect both batteries.
I'm a 12/20 build (awd-lr)as well. You need to disconnect the 12 under the frunk, per Tesla model 3 guide. I used an Allen wrench to pop the airbag off. The spring wires are an inch or two in, you have to push them in and towards the windshield. I was pushing straight in and the bottom latch wasn't releasing.
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Jaenonymous
Member
I would consider take a steering wheel off major surgery, but ok.Now we're resorting to taking our cars apart out of frustration over the cold steering wheel?
Just received 2021 Model 3 LR AWD with VIN 923xxx - heated steering is there. I'm so happy. Just another data point.
Just another data point.
Excellent news...pick up my Model 3 LR VIN 923xxx on Thursday...thanks for the update!Just received 2021 Model 3 LR AWD with VIN 923xxx - heated steering is there. I'm so happy.
So unfortunately heated steering wheel has not been spotted in any M3 in Europe... Yesterday in Germany 3 have reported taking delivery of M3LRs (2 have VIN909 and one VIN916) and none of them has it.
I think there are some people in the UK that have reported having the heated steering wheel in their LR delivered in March, but I think that these have come from China.
